Hazel sat there with her paws laid out in front of her. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of loneliness, and maybe even sadness. She’s felt like that since Zuko had left the pack.

 Zuko

 That name gave her two immediate reactions each time: longing and anger. She hated him for having tried to bring destruction to the back, all in the name of trying to regain his honor back. At the same time , she missed him terribly. Despite what he had done, she still found him admirable and even suitable for a mate. But she had to remind herself that she would most likely never see him again, and it was probably better that way. At least that what she told herself.

 Sudden cries of alarm shot from around the packs settlement causing Hazel to sit up in confusion. She stood up and hastily ran over to what the pack was gathering around. She had difficulty nosing her way through, so she turned to a fellow packmate

 “ Kinto, what is it?”

 “A pup” he panted “The patrol just found it next to the river, practically drowned. But I think he might still be alive”

With that information she forced her way through the crowd until she saw the young one clearly. She gasped slightly at its noticeable condition; his fur was matted from the water and she spotted clots of blood on its body. The pups eyes were closed as well, and he looked like he didn’t have long

 “What are you all standing around for!” snapped Hazel, her aggression flaring. This prompted the pack to take a step backwards. Hazel was usually quiet and timid, never before had she yelled at the pack that way.

 Hazel darted to the pup and began to anxiously lick its fur the opposite direction, the small one was freezing! While she did that, she made sure to lick away they blood, so that its injuries may receive fresh air to heal. Once she had finished, she raised her head to address the pack

 “You all act like you’ve never seen a pup” she spat

 “The pup is not one of us. It could’ve come from enemy packs”

 “That hardly matters! Enemy or not, he is still very young and injured! The honor code doesn’t say anything about mistreating pups” her voice quavered with fury and fear “He is mine to care for, until we find out what to do next”

 With that final remark she tenderly picked up the baby and pushed her way back to her den. She didn’t know where all of that came from, but she had a soft spot for pups. And what she saw back there touched a nerve. When she settled down in her den she resumed licking the pup’s injuries. She tried to detect any scents from him that would hint where he came from. But the river had washed it away, leaving only the pups scent.  Soon afterwards, she nestled him next to her, with her soft tail covering him. She has always wanted a pup of her own, and this could be her chance.

 She awoke the following morning, bright and early. First thing she did was anxiously sniff her new pup, checking to see that  the injuries hadn’t become infected. Sometime later, the pup began to stir on its own. Her ears shot forward, in anxiety. He was coming around now, and it made her excited. Would he be frightened? He raised his head and peered up at her drowsily.

 “How are you feeling” greeting Hazel softly, her voice more soothing than usual

 “Where am I?” he responded groggily, he began to look around the den with a small expression of fright.

 “You’re in the Pack of the Moon. My name is Hazel. You’re safe now, we found you near the river nearly drowned”

 “I was?”

 “It doesn’t matter now. Do you remember anything? What’s your name?” Hazel realized that his eyes were a bright blue, and his age was about 2 1/2 months old. He had a small black mask over his eyes and bridge of his nose.

 “Drake” he mumbled, still looking shy and drowsy “I got separated from my dad”

 “Who’s you dad?”

 “He’s-

 “What are YOU doing here!” came a shrill howl from outside of Hazel’s den. Drake jumped in fright and back away, and Hazel drew her tail over him and sat up, her fur fluffed in aggression. She didn’t like the sound of an intruder, and she would do everything she could to defend Drake.Several barks and snarls erupted outside and from what Hazel could see, they had the intruder pinned down.

 “Let me go!” snapped a familiar voice. Hazel craned her neck, trying to pinpoint that bark. Where had she heard it before?”

 “You dare come back to us” snarled Pack Leader Pako “What is it you want this time”

 “I came to see-oh just forget it!” snarled the intruder

 The pack continued to growl at him, and hazel was aware that Drake was pulling away from her grip, becoming very interested. She couldn’t help but feel a bit curious herself

 “Do you want to go see?” she asked. The pup turned around and nodded at her.

 She released him and her tumbled forward eagerly. She followed him in long graceful stride, keeping close to Drake.

The two of them strode out of the den, althought Drake had a small limp from his injuries, but he still pressed forward determidly. Hazel nozed here way to the front, while Drake dove in between legs. The two of them had a better view of who was the intruder and it caused Hazel to gasp and feel a sense of dread and fury

 "I said, ' state your purpose' " snarled their Alpha once more

"I came here to find my son" snapped Zuko from below, glaring up at the larger wolf/

What in the name of Spirit Clan was Zuko doing here? He dares to show his muzzle back in this pack, even after his scandulous act.

"Zuko?" piped up a small voice, recognized as Drake's.

The pack stopped snarling at Zuko and laid the attention to Drake. It took everyone by surprise that the pup was up and speaking, but it was even more shocking that he recognized the newcomer. And he didn't sound scared or anything.Hazel hadn't realized that Drake had wandered so har ahead, and before she could even drag him back, he was scampering towards Zuko with full excitement.

"Zuko!" he barked

"Drake?" called out Zuko, and his eyes darted around. He wore an expression of hopefullness and anxiety. Drake appeared though the croud and the leapt on top of Zuko, his tail waggin furiously. Hazel stared baffled, feeling hollow. She could feel her packmates eyes on her, and she didn't know what to do. She didn't feel as if she could do anything, so she ducked her head, keeping her eyes on Drake still. Did she just loose him to some scumbag?

"You know this pup?" asked the alpha, who sounded just as taken abakc, but his eyes were narrowed in suspicion.

Zuko wore a small embarrassed expression, and before he could respond, the pup broke in.

"Course he knows me, he's my dad. Well, not really, but I like to call him that. Its cus my real parents-" Zuko had drawn his paw over his mouth.

"What have a told you about being a motor mouth to strangers" he muttered in a low voice

"To not to" he recited

"Good job" he muttered before adressing the pack leader " Uh, yes. I do know who this pup is. Um, he's mine."

Hazel felt her heart sink, and her paws go numb. Zuko, the one who had betrayed his clan and demonstrated hsi cruel nature had a son? Or an adoptive son she should better say. He had already torn her life and heart into shreds before and now he had come back to tear her insides once more. It was past unbearble and she couldn't stand it any longer. She whipped around and seeked refuge to her lonesome den.

It was simply unfair to her. All she had ever wanted was for some companionship, and Drake seemed like he could give it to her. She laid down and curled up into a small bundle, since there wasn't much that she could do. But why Zuko? Why him out of all the wolves within the forest? the last thing she needed was for her past to come stratching to her doorstep. She was then aware of Drake's voice in the distance, and  it was getting louder.

"She's over here, the one who take care of me" she heard him

She sat up and swiveled her blue-tipped ears toward the den entrace and heard approaching pawsteps. She sat up and quickly smoothed out her ruffled fur. Seconds later, the  light was blotted out by a large figure in the doorway. A very surprised Zuko stood in the den's frame, with a very energentic Drake

"Hi Hazel!" he greeted her, before running towards her and pouncing on her small tail with glee

"Drake!" scolded Zuko, but Hazel cut in apruptly

"It's fine, I really dont mind"

"Hazel, thats Zuko. My dad!"

"Hello zuko" she greeted, her tone cold and effortless "Its been awhile"

Zuko nodded and  lowered his gaze slightly. Drake looked at the pair of them with interest

"Do ya guys know each other something?" he inquiered puzzled

'We've know each other" responded Hazel "Zuko decided to leave"

"Well, now he's coming back. We are going to stay, right Zuko?" he asked, his expression pleading

"Uh, for awhile. We might leave"

"Why! I like it here"

"Drake would be welcomed here" added Hazel, adding emphases to the 'Drake'.

"Its getting late, we should probably go" said Zuko, who seemed embarrased or stuck in a awkward situation

"Where are we gonna